What Is Bichectomy (Cheek Aesthetics)? Who Is It Applied To? What Results Are Seen? | Prof. Dr. Tevfik Sözen

Hello everyone, I am Tevfik Sözen. In this video, I will talk to you about bichectomy surgery. What is bichectomy? There is a fat tissue defined by a scientist, a doctor named Bichat, and this fat tissue is called Bichat’s fat pad. Bichectomy surgery is the removal of this tissue. As I mentioned before, our face consists of five different layers. The fifth of these layers is bone, and the fourth is the deep plane where Bichat’s fat pad is located. In other words, beneath the deep plane is the inside of the mouth. This Bichat fat pad has three different components. The layer everyone knows is the one here. But there is also a component that extends toward the temporal bone and another component located in the temple region. So it has three different lobes.

Why does the need to remove this fat tissue arise? First, some people cannot get rid of fullness in their cheeks even though they lose weight. Second, since we aim for a heart-shaped face—and a youthful appearance is associated with a heart-shaped look—the principle is to empty the fullness here and make the cheekbone more prominent. This procedure can be performed from inside the mouth under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. There are various layers that must be preserved. These are anatomical structures such as the muscle in the cheek, the area where our salivary gland opens into the mouth, or the area where the facial nerve runs in the deep plane. Also, the appropriate amount of fat tissue must be removed. This procedure does not show its effect immediately after the fat tissue is removed. The area where the fat is removed gradually becomes hollow over time, and patience is required. Swelling develops depending on the procedure. After this subsides over weeks, the hollowing in this area of the face becomes visible over time. The most important advice I can give you is that the right person should perform this procedure and that too much fat should not be removed, causing excessive hollowing.

Because you will not remain at this age. Years will pass, you may lose weight, and various changes may occur in your face. If too much is removed, abnormal appearances may occur here. Paying attention to these is both your doctor’s responsibility and now also your responsibility. Thank you.